It’s been one of the worst-kept secrets in Santa Fe, and on Thursday, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver confirmed the speculation about her ambition by declaring herself a candidate for lieutenant governor. Toulouse Oliver, who spent nearly a decade as the state’s chief elections official, kicked off her entry into the race […]
Category: Beats
Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy
New Mexicans to see insurance rate hikes 35% – 52% on exchange plans in January, but state subsidies help some buyers
By Jesse Jones, with research assistance from Noah Gollin – About 75,000 New Mexicans who buy coverage through the state’s health insurance exchange will see health insurance rates increase between 35% and 52% starting in January, though state subsidies could help mitigate those increases for lower income families. Earlier this year, the State’s Superintendent of […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
State warns food banks to prep for 400,000 in need; Feds warn SNAP will “not be issued to New Mexico families” next week
More than 400,000 New Mexicans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could see a halt to their food assistance next month due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to a top state health official. Healthcare Authority Secretary Kari Armijo told lawmakers on the Legislative Finance Committee at their Oct. 15 meeting that […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
“An enormous hit:” Billions in fed. mineral payments owed to New Mexico could stop by year end
State budget analysts warn that federal mineral leasing payments to New Mexico could be at risk if Congress does take action in the coming months. The payments are from royalties companies pay to the federal government when they extract oil, coal and other minerals from federal land in New Mexico. The state then gets a […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Out-of-state billionaire money floods APS board races
An unprecedented $300,000 from a group established by two out-of-state billionaires is flooding Albuquerque’s school board races — contests where only a small fraction of voters usually decide the outcome. Editor’s note: This story was updated to include comments from all candidates in races where NMKidsCAN PAC money was spent, not just those who reached […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Garcia Richard led Democratic contenders for Lt. Gov’s race in fundraising before dropping out
She has put her campaign for lieutenant governor on hold, but campaign finance reports issued last week show that Democrat Stephanie Garcia Richard’s cash haul since April far exceeded those of her two rivals for the party’s nomination. The reports, which were due on Oct. 14, showed that $165,605 rolled into the campaign of Garcia […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Thousands attend “No Kings” march Downtown
Thousands of New Mexicans answered the call and gathered on Saturday, Oct. 18, in Downtown Albuquerque for the second national “No Kings” day of action protesting policies of President Donald Trump. The event, sponsored by Indivisible Albuquerque, was part of a national day of coordinated protests by Indivisble, a left-leaning organizing group. Marchers filled Central […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich agrees with Cardi B’s cost-of-living comments
New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich has come to the defense of rapper Cardi B, following comments she made about the economy. Earlier this week, the outspoken rapper and recording artist made observations about the rising cost of living in an Instagram live video that went viral. “I feel so bad because I didn’t realize […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Zamora edges out Leger Fernandez in latest fundraising period; Other Congressional candidates, incumbents report big numbers
By Alex Ross — Three months after filing the paperwork to run for Congress, new campaign finance reports show that State Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis) edged out Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03) in campaign contributions in the recent fundraising quarter. Reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that between July 1 and […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
New Mexico boosts school security with $35 million investment
Millions of dollars in one-time spending authorized by state lawmakers earlier this year are set to be dispersed to school districts across New Mexico, including funding meant to strengthen school security. Earlier this year, New Mexico lawmakers passed House Bill 450, which included $50 million for school security improvements, career technical education facilities, and repairs […]